Potted Ivy Plants

by April Sanders

English Ivy grows easily in pots.

With its trailing habit, ivy (Hedera spp.) looks especially attractive cascading over the edge of a pot. The delicate evergreen foliage deceives: In reality, ivy is a hardy plant. You can tuck an ivy plant into a container full of mixed annuals and perennials to add a touch of green, or cultivate ivy indoors as a houseplant.

Recommended Species

The many cultivars of Hedera helix, or English ivy, feature variegated leaves, curly leaves and even leaves that look like they have holes cut into them. This relatively fast-growing, easy-care ivy handles pruning well. English ivy thrives best outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 though 11. Other good choices include Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis), with its large, heart-shaped leaves, and Nepal ivy (Hedera nepalensis), featuring slender, delicate leaves and stems that look especially attractive grown in a hanging basket. Algerian ivy is hardy in USDA zones 6 though 10, and Nepal ivy prefers the slightly warmer climates of USDA zones 7b and warmer.

General Care

Outdoor ivy plants benefit from at least partial shade and moist, rich soil. Too much exposure to hot, direct sunlight will scorch their broad leaves. Cultivars of English Ivy are a good choice for container plantings that are too large to bring indoors for the winter, as they can easily tolerate below freezing temperatures. Indoors, ivy plants grow best in bright but indirect light with consistently cool temperatures that do not rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or fall much below 50 degrees. Prune these vigorous growers at any time to keep them at a manageable size. Potted ivy plants should be watered when the top half-inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Pests and Problems

Potted ivy plants can suffer from root rot and other fungal diseases if the container does not drain well or if it is over-watered. In addition, deer like to munch on these plants, so place your pot well away from areas they frequent. Indoor plants may also suffer from common houseplant pests such as spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Remove your indoor plant to an outdoor location and spay it thoroughly with a nontoxic insecticidal soap -- or even a strong stream of water -- to rid your ivy of these pests.

Other Considerations

English ivy can cause severe skin irritation if you come into contact with the sap. Symptoms include a red rash, itching, pain and blisters. Consumption of the berries or leaves can also cause a fever or convulsions to develop. Although large quantities would have to be consumed for these symptoms to occur in most adults, it takes much less for symptoms to occur in small children and pets such as cats or small dogs. For these reasons, if you are cultivating English ivy, keep it well out of reach of children and pets.

About the Author

April Sanders is a writer, teacher and the mother of three boys. Raised on an organic farm, she is an avid gardener and believes that good growth starts with a rich, supportive foundation -- a philosophy that serves her well in both gardening and teaching. Sanders has written for Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Smarted Balanced, PARCC and others.

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